Several communities in Florida are celebrating Navratri this month. Here are some:

TAMPA: The Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay will celebrate Navratri on Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 at India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road. On Sept. 25-26, the festival of nine nights will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 2506 W. Idlewild Ave. For more information, call Samaj President Dr. C.J. Patel at (813) 960-8450 or Samaj VP Himmatbhai Parekh at (813) 969-1661 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org

Also, SOIKOT (Bengali Society of Tampa Bay) will hold a Durga Puja on Oct. 3 at the Hindu Temple, 5509 Lynn Road, and on Oct. 4 at the India Cultural Center on Lynn Road. Performing on Oct. 4 are Aloke Roychoudhury and Krosswindz. Donations are $75 per person or $140 for the family. RSVP to Soikot_florida@yahoo.com or call Jyotirmoy at (727) 643-3691 or Manoj at (813) 685-8441.

Renowned spiritual leader Swami Mukundananda will hold a free week-long program Sept. 13-17 at India Cultural Center in Tampa. He also will present a free discourse on "Science and Spirituality" Sept. 15 at the Hindu University of America, 113 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando.

A Vedic scholar and senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji, Swami Mukundananda has held discourses throughout the world for devotees dedicated to achieving true, unlimited bliss in all aspects of life.

The program is possible thanks to Jagadguru Kripalu Yog, a non-profit organization dedicated to the spiritual, mental and physical wellness of human beings through yoga and spirituality.

"India's Light," a photographic exhibit by Rebecca Pujals-Jones, is on display through Sept. 14 in the Citrus County Chronicle gallery in downtown Inverness at 106 W. Main St. The exhibit is presented by the Art Center of Citrus County and the Citrus County Chronicle.

"India's Light" showcases the photographer's journey to Mumbai, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Delhi and Agra. When viewing the images, visitors will experience the colorful cities and villages of India, with the quaint street scenes. The architecture of holy temples, with Sanskrit mantras on the walls invites the traveler to relax and meditate. This India is a blend of the mundane and the transcendental, a must-see.

Along the Ganges River, there are temples and ashrams where yogis practice and teach an ancient culture steeped in spirituality. The Ganges winds through Haridwar to Rishikesh, the images move from sacred traditions to the luminescent monument of love: the wondrous Taj Mahal, in Agra.

Central Florida's ever popular India Fest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Hindu Temple, 1994 Lake Drive, in Casselberry.

The India Fest opens with a free Health Fair from 9 a.m. to noon. The cultural programs and the food stalls are a big draw for the devotees and the local community; last year, more than 2,000 people attended the function.

Back in 2001, Lexus launched the SC430, its first convertible. It took the luxury car division nearly 10 years to come back, this time with two convertibles: the IS 250C and IS 350C.

The rear-wheel-drive versions are available as a 2.5-liter V-6 engine that develops 204 horsepower at 6400 rpm or the 3.5-liter V-6 engine that pumps out 306 hp at 6400 rpm. The IS 250C is mated to a standard 6-speed manual while the IS 350C is offered as a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Both the IS models sport a handsome and elegant look with standard projector-beam headlights and elliptical fog lamps surrounding a color-coordinated air dam with low grille. The influence of the IS sedan is evident in the cabin with a similar gauge cluster of speedometer, tachometer, coolant and fuel temperature readings. But Lexus engineers tweaked the display screen illumination so there is no question of glare with the three-panel folding hardtop down. Oh yes, you can open or close the top in 20 seconds.

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